Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Set to be Sanctioned Professional Fight

Tyson vs. Paul will be a real, eight-round fight.

Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mike Tyson arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tyson and Jake Paul's July 20 fight will be a sanctioned, professional bout, not an exhibition. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations approved the rules, as the match will consist of eight two-minute rounds and the combatants will use 14-ounce gloves. It will be Tyson's first professional fight in almost two decades.

The 57-year-old former heavyweight champ last stepped in the ring on November 28, 2020 in an eight-round exhibition fight against former four-division champion Roy Jones Jr. The result was a split draw, though many observers believed Tyson had won the bout. Paul also had a fight on the card in which he earned a second-round knockout of former NBA star Nate Robinson.

Tyson's last professional fight came in 2005 when he retired against Kevin McBride, quitting before the start of the seventh round of a close fight. That followed a knockout loss to Danny Williams in 2004. All-in-all, he lost three of his final four fights, including a knockout loss to Lennox Lewis in June of 2002.

Paul, a YouTuber who has been trying to establish himself as a legitimate cruiserweight enters the fight coming off three straight wins. The 27-year-old suffered his first defeat against Tommy Fury in February of 2023, and has ripped off three wins in quick succession since. He beat Nate Diaz by unanimous decision in August of 2023, then scored consecutive first-round knockout wins over Andre August and Ryan Bourland. Most of his career to this point has consisted of beating former mixed martial arts fighters.

For months it was assumed Tyson vs. Paul would be some form of exhibition, like Tyson's fight against Jones. But it will take place at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and be streamed on Netflix so its likely those involved felt stakes needed to be added to the event. Paul is 30 years younger than Tyson, so he should be big a big favorite despite the Iron Mike's prodigious punching power.

The fight will be real on July 20 with actual consequences for a win or loss. That's sure to bring more eyeballs to the event.